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Monday, December 31, 2012

As 2012 comes to a close - I am putting on my dancing shoes! I have officially completed my Project 366. The final few layouts are already in my "to be printed" folder ready to be printed and added to my album.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

This time of the year gets ever so busy - I spent today catching up on my Project 366 while watching a few of my favorite Christmas movies - such a good feeling to add so many layouts to my "to be printed" folder.

Phew - Life is good!

While "by the Shore designs" has closed up shop at NDISB, My Memories and Scrap Take Out; I still have a few of my more popular digital scrapbooking kits available on Etsy (and will be adding more in the coming days).

I am excited about 2013. I plan on taking a bit more time for myself and my family ~ and more time in the Word and daily devotionals. I am also looking forward to dabbling in a few more scrapbooking related activities in 2013 - including "One Little Word" and the "Art Journaling Caravan". I will have digital freebies periodically and will add a few new collections to my Etsy store as the year progresses.

Project 365 will continue as well. 2013 will be my 5th year with this project. (yay) My "twist" this year is that all of my pictures will be taken using my camera phone - not my DSLR or any other traditional camera. I am still working out the logistics on how to print and publish them (but I have a few days to figure that out - right?)

Wishing each of you a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year. Love on your family and friends - giving extra hugs. Perform random acts of kindness and spread that love wherever you go.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Greetings on this beautiful first day of December. Where have the last 11 months gone - 2012 is flying by - in the blink of an eye. And as it has flown by, I have realized that in this season of my life, my family needs me a bit more. After some careful soul searching, I have decided to take a break from designing for stores so that I can better support and 'love on' my family. This has been a difficult decision for me as I LOVE designing and am tickled that so many of you are able to use my collections in your scrapbooks to preserve your own family memories. In addition to more family time, I am anxious to find a little more "me" time - time to grow in my design skills (not giving up designing completely), time to explore other crafty opportunities (like mixed media), time to workout and take care of the physical me, and time to simply enjoy all of the blessings that surround me.

The good news for you is the opportunity to purchase my current kits and collections at a deep discounted price - now through December 14th. 60% off!

At Scrap Take Out - the sale price is already established for you (the discount will appear in your cart at checkout) At MyMemories, simply use the discount code Shore60 at checkout (this is a one use per customer coupon code).

I will still be blogging and sharing periodically. I will continue to offer my more popular collections on ETSY along with an occasional new one. And I will be sure to participate in blog hops and facebook hops once in a while. Thank you for your support...now go have fun and shop in my stores.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Don't you love a good sale where you don't have to fight the crowds or wait in line and where you can shop in your jammies in the comfort of your home! Scrap Take Out has two super sales for you - a Thanksgiving/Black Friday sale AND a Cyber Monday sale.

by the Shore designs has 9 special products on sale for only $1 each in the Thanksgiving/Black Friday sale - and another 7 products on sale for only $2 each in the Cyber Monday sale.

Thanksgiving/Black Friday offerings....(Thursday, Friday & Saturday)

Cyber Monday offerings...(Sunday & Monday)

So, grab a cup of coffee and kick up your feet ~ you'll be glad you did!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Wow - October sure was a busy month in our home - but I am excited that I spent just a little bit of time on Saturday (Digital Scrapbook Day) getting caught up on Project 366. Four weeks of double layouts was super easy to do using my 2012 Quick Pages.

I am excited about 2013. It will be a slightly different year for Project 365 as I have decided to exclusively use my phone for taking my "picture of the day". I am spending a little time planning my approach in advance so that my plan of action will be simple, easy and of course fun! I will share more with you in December.

Until then, stay safe and warm...enjoy the blessings that surround you....by the Shore.

Friday, November 2, 2012

All "by the Shore designs" products at both Scrap TakeOut AND MyMemories are 30% off through Sunday. Now is the time to stock up on your favorite digi-products. And if that is not special enough - I have just released a new collection which is part of this fabulous sale. The Inspired Collection is a "must have" for your digi-stash.

This collection features 34 textured papers and a great selection of elements. The alpha includes uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters - perfect for titles and accents. The color palette in this collection is simply "inspiring" - perfect for layouts throughout the year! You can purchase the papers, alpha and elements separately - or purchase all three kits in the full collection at a discounted price.

Happy Digital Scrapbook Day! Happy Scrapping.....by the Shore!

(note: at Scrap TakeOut - the discounted price may not appear on the Shoppe screen, but will appear in your "cart" when you are ready to check out)

Thursday, October 11, 2012

I have just released a new collection and it is simply perfect for this time of the year. TheBeauty of Autumn collectionfeatures the soft colors of Fall ~ ideal for this lovely season (but you can certainly use it year round)

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

...how much I love my Project 366. When Becky Higgins introduced Project 365 (now known as Project Life) a few years ago - I never would have thought it would have such a positive impact. My family simply loves to look through the albums I have created over the last four years. They are able to see more than scrapbooks about events and activities - they are able to smile about the little things in our daily life - those things that make us who we are. I still love creating layouts for our family albums and I am still able to fully document those special events in traditional 12x12 pages. But for those little moments in life that are so often forgotten and those glimpses of reality - my "picture of the day" is priceless.

Here are Weeks 39 and 40 - and they are already in my "to be printed" folder (I love adding files to that folder)

Remember that this can be whatever YOU want it to be!

A picture a day or a picture a week.

Digital or Traditional Paper or Blog

A bound album or individual pages

Journal or not

Calendar Year or Start Today!

Countdown to a special event (wedding or milestone birthday)

I have already decided that for me 2013 will be completely using pictures from my phone. I am still determining the "how" and looking at different apps that will keep it simple and keep it fun! What about you? What do you love about Project 366 (Project Life)? What are your plans for 2013?

This layout is of my daughter as she experienced her first attempt at rock wall climbing. She tried so hard and was not willing to give up. Did she make it to the top - no. But did she make it further than she would have - had she not tried at all? Absolutely. What warmed my heart the most was the sounds of her peers cheering her on. What a great experience for all of the kids.

So, what will you do today? What are you going to try that is new? And who will you cheer on?

Saturday, September 29, 2012

This past week I was privileged to be able to chaperon my daughter's class at our school's traditional Sixth Grade Camp. The good times shared during these three days will be cherished for years to come.

We woke up both mornings and joined other 'early birds' at the lake. We enjoyed the quiet of the morning, the mist on the water and the sunlight as it started rising above the tree line. I especially enjoyed remembering my own childhood when I would fish with my Dad - truly happy memories. Admittedly, I did not like baiting the hook or taking care of my "catch" - but I loved casting and reeling in - and mostly, I simply loved my time with Dad.

Monday, September 24, 2012

I am tickled pink that four years ago I stumbled on Project 366 (aka Project 365 and Project Life) Becky Higgins approach to memory keeping. Sure I still create layouts for events, special occasions and 'just because' ~ but Project 366 allows me to quickly document those little things in life that make us who we are.

I have been making my albums for Project Life using a calendar year - but please don't let that intimidate you. You can start anytime - so why not now. You can go back or simply move forward. The important thing is to get started. I use my 366 Days in 2012 Quick Pages available at NDISB and MyMemories .

Quickpages have made staying current super easy. What if life happens and I simply don't have time to make a weekly layout. Yes, it happens! Saturday night, I sat down and quickly created 3 double layouts for weeks 36,37 and 38. Using these quickpages, it took no time at all to add my pictures, a touch of journaling and they are now resting in my "to be printed" folder.

What if I forget to take a picture one day (gasp)?!?! I can always use a picture from a neighboring day or can simply add some extra journaling. I do try to keep a point and shoot in my purse - but I am finding myself reaching for my phone more and more to take quick pics (and the resolution is pretty good)

Moving forward ... presenting....Weeks 36,37 and 38...

I am forever thankful for Becky Higgins and her Project Life inspiration. My family can often be found looking through these albums and cherishing memories (and that makes me smile)

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Don't forget to pick up your freebie from the September Inspire Me Blog Train - here(and my coordinating freebie on facebook) ~ These freebies will only be available till the end of September and then will be part of a larger kit in my stores.

My family inspires me. My girls are priceless and I love creating layouts that share their activities, their passions and their love for each other.

This layout features a technique using paper as an overlay on a photo. Love the way this turned out -(and that this year my daughter is attending Concordia University as a freshman)

I don't often use paper as a background, but this picture of soccer balls was perfect. I need to take more random pictures like this. The technique was organizing your layout in a grid. A few tweaks to make it my own - and voila! The star spray in the lower left corner is from my just released Football Fun Collection at My Memories. (coming soon to ScrapTakeOut)

The best memories of my girls are not the "staged" photos, but those where I capture them simply being together. This Photoshop Friday uses an overlay and "cutout" to draw your eye to a focal point on your layout.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

My new collection ~ Football Fun ~ has just been released at My Memories. Just in time to preserve your memories of the "Boys of Fall". Whether you have an athlete in the family or are a die-hard fan - this collection is for you. You can purchase each kit individually, but for those that "want it all", I have it bundled into one collection. And for the rest of this week - the individual packs and the collection are on sale for just over 50% off.

And don't forget to head over toMondays Blog Post at My Memories where I am this week's featured designer. Comment on that post and you can win one of my kits at My Memories - your choice! Life is Good!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Head on over to My Memories to see who the featured designer is this week. And there is a great sale on this designers products for the entire week! There is even a chance to win one of 5 free kits! HERE

And I have completed a new collection complete and it is currently being staged in my stores...a collection timely for this season- whether you are an athelete or a fan you are sure to love it. Any guesses?

Friday, September 14, 2012

I am excited to share that I am a "culinary specialist (aka designer) at Scrap TakeOut!

I love the warm atmosphere and fellowship at this store. The products throughout Scrap TakeOut are wonderful. A team of talented designers. The creative team member are truly inspirational. And you can be confident of your purchases as all personal use products go through a quality control process.

And at Scrap TakeOut we serve up some great challenges that will get you scrapping and add layouts to your "to be printed" folder - and you know that is one of my favorite things to do! I will be hosting a challenge soon and can't wait.

I encourage you to come on over and check out all of the digital goodness that Scrap TakeOut has to offer. My own store at Scrap TakeOut can be found here. I have a grand opening sale going on right now - 50% off all "by the Shore designs" products at Scrap TakeOut.

So what's next on my plate? I am working on a new digital collection for you. Can you finish this little jingle? "Are you ready for some......" Yeah, I know - just a little teaser....

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Digital Scrapbooking products from by the Shore designs will soon be available in an additional store. Just two more days till my grand-opening. I am busy re-packaging and stocking my shelves. I am tickled pink and can't wait to share the location!

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Eleven years ago as my first grader was getting ready for school and my baby was drinking a bottle, their world changed, as did all of ours. Today, they are in their first year of college and sixth grade. We took time this morning to reflect and remember - and to give thanks for our own blessings.

I do not know the photographer of this image or I would give due credit.

I was simply struck by the cross between the towers - a powerful image - they were not alone.

There will be many blog posts and facebook messages today about 9/11 - where people were, what they were doing, the innocent lives that were lost, the heroes that emerged. Their words will be eloquent, well written and powerful.

I simply ask you to find a few moments of quiet today to remember and reflect - and to give thanks for your own blessings.

Monday, September 3, 2012

If you are stopping by for the September 2012 Inspire Me Blogtrain - you are in the right place! Click here !Here are the last two weeks of Project 366! Weeks 34 and 35 were busy in our household. My oldest started college and is excited about her new journey. We had a mini-trip to the Chicago area to get her settled into her new dorm. My youngest started 6th grade and is loving life. And we are all settling into our new "normal".

My "366 Days in 2012" quick page collection is still available at both Natural Designs in Scrapbooking and My Memories. Four sets of quick pages that are perfect for showcasing your daily pictures. It's never too late to start - and these quick pages make it super easy!Till next time....by the Shore

Here is my contribution to the blog train (and if you head over to my facebook page- you'll find another freebie that coordinates as well) Note: October 1,2012 ~ This Blog Train has reached its destination and has ended. This mini kit will be part of of a larger kit available at my stores in October. Be sure to stop back by my blog and facebook and say hi - you never know when there will be goodies waiting for you.

Make sure that you subscribe to this blog and "like" me on facebook and twitter - I have some fun new adventures starting later this month and can't wait to share!

(p.s. we have designers from around the world participating in this blog hop - if a link is not yet active, please make sure to head back and try again)

Thursday, August 30, 2012

We are home from taking our daughter to college and I am in catch up mode. Let's start with Photoshop Friday from August 24,2012.

I really like the typography technique in this session of Photoshop Friday (available at jessicasprague.com). In this session, we use a simple word or phrase multiple times and add a touch of color to one or two letters/words that tell the story. And I love the template that came with it - I only needed to add my own background paper. The way this came together created an awesome layout to remember a very special day - and I have another layout in my "to be printed" folder.

I am fine-tuning a few new digital kits. One of these kits features overlays as shown on the background paper above. Overlays are a great way to add life and texture to a solid color - and you can tweak it to make it yours.

I am also finalizing a mini-kit for a new blog train that begins on September 1st. Mark your calendars - this Blog Train and all of the freebies are sure to "inspire" you!

Sunday, August 26, 2012

We spend years preparing our kids to be independent young men and women - but who prepares us to let go. My next few layouts will likely feature my daughter who is beginning her new adventure - college!

This Photoshop Friday (template and mini class from jessicasprague.com) offers a really fun technique using the gradient tool to help the larger picture gradually blend into a white background - perfect for journaling.

And speaking of new adventures, "by the Shore designs" is embarking on a new adventure as well. Any guesses? (Look for hints in my next few posts and the 'reveal' in just a few short weeks!)